CLIENTS from Morwell’s Vista Community Services were treated to a football skills session last Thursday with staff members from the Loy Yang B Gippsland Power.
Vista offers day services, ranging from cooking to numeracy classes, that aim to “improve life skills” for people with disabilities.
Thurday’s clinic was organised by the Power’s intern Troy Oakley, and Vista’s day services coordinator Cheryl Borg.
“Each year we have a footy day some time during the season and it’s something that everyone really looks forward to,” Borg said.
“Last year we had it when the Collingwood Football Club came down, but this year we were keen to get involved with one of the local clubs to build those links with the community.”
Borg said Australian rules football was “extremely popular” with Vista’s clients because it made them feel like they were “part of something”.
“It’s all about a sense of belonging; it gives them, an identity and makes them realise they have the same tastes and cultural interests as other people,” Borg said.
“So we also run a footy tipping competition with prizes each week and then a big one at the end of the year which is a lot of fun.”
In keeping with their love of football, Borg said group members also participated in the Morwell Street Soccer program.
Each week, clients from Vista and the GippsTAFE Employment and Transitional Training Centre take to the pitch at Morwell Common to have a kick out against the Street Soccer teams.
“The Street Soccer program is also very popular, and again it just gets people involved in the wider community,” Borg said.
